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Men in Black 3 Review

Movies.com Critics

3.5

Dave White Profile

More suits, less filling. Read full review

3.5

Grae Drake Profile

The noisy cricket gets wicked on ya once more. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    58

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 50

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    The younger man's personality is all the more startling for the skill and generosity with which Mr. Brolin creates a persuasively vital K while foreshadowing the grump to come. The script explains the change in elaborate detail, but the performance defies explanation; it's mysteriously marvelous.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

    Good trippy fun.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Although I liked the first "MiB" movie, I wasn't particularly looking forward to this belated sequel. But I had fun. It has an ingenious plot, bizarre monsters, audacious cliff-hanging, and you know what? A closing scene that adds a new and sort of touching dimension to the characters of J and K.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    While this third go-round may not seem necessary amid summer's blockbusters, it's an entertaining jaunt back in time with the likably mismatched duo.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    It manages, in the end, to be touching as well as hectic and whimsical, and to send a few interesting thematic bubbles into the air, having to do with lost fathers, obscure regrets and racial reconciliation.

    Read Full Review

  • 80

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore

    Finding smart ways to bring novelty to the franchise without forsaking what made the original so much fun (and in fact doubling down on some of those qualities), Barry Sonnenfeld's Men in Black 3 easily erases the second installment's vague but unpleasant memory and -- though we might hope producers will quit while they're ahead -- paves the way for future installments.

    Read Full Review

  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    MIB3 is one giant leap for mankind because Josh Brolin shows up to play the younger Agent K. And he just nails the feat, triumphantly creating a riff on/homage to the Tommy Lee Jones-ness of K that goes much deeper (and funnier) than a simple imitation of drawl and speech patterns.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Men in Black 3 reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 12+

Third alien adventure is fun, less memorable than the first.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that, like its two predecessors, Men in Black III is part buddy comedy and part alien action/adventure, so there are tons of creeptastic creatures (though fewer than in the original movie), plus interspecies peril and a considerable body count. Several aliens and a few humans are killed in shoot-outs (many involving over-the-top sci-fi weapons), but no one that viewers really care about is killed. The language is occasionally salty ("s--t," "bulls--t," "ass"), but aside from one fairly graphic tongue kiss between an alien and a sexily dressed woman, there's nothing too risque. In the end, good triumphs over evil, and humans prove they're a race worth saving.

  • Families can talk about the enduring popularity of the Men in Black series. How are the aliens in these films different than ones portrayed in other sci-fi movies?
  • Do you think popular movies need to keep adding sequels? How do you think the third film compares to the other two? Should the Men in Black franchise end here?
  • Why are odd-couple buddy films so fun to watch? What are some of the best buddy action adventures?

The good stuff
  • message true2

    Messages: Characters' selflessness saves the Earth, good triumphs over evil, and the virtues of teamwork, sacrifice, and unconditional friendship are extolled via the main characters. That said, problems are often solved via violent means.

  • rolemodels true2

    Role models: The MIB agents are all brave and loyal and willing to sacrifice their safety -- and lives, if necessary -- to save the Earth from the perils posed by aliens.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: A relatively high body count, and most of the dead are aliens disguised as humans. One alien called "Boris the Animal" kills people by releasing deadly dart-like stingers at them. The MIB kill aliens with a space gun that disintegrates them. There's an extended face-to-face battle between Agents J, K, and their alien nemesis. Weapons include regular guns, high-tech space guns, and the monstrous alien creature with the stingers. Expect lots of alien guts and goo.

  • sex false1

    Sex: One rather graphic kiss (the alien "man" has an exaggeratedly long tongue that a woman sucks on), plus flirting between a male and female agent. A correctional officer makes jokes about conjugal visits and whether a scantily clad woman visiting a prisoner is "clean" or not.

  • language false3

    Language: A half-dozen uses of the words "s--t" and "bulls--t," as well as "pissed off," "ass," "damn," "hell," "stupid," "bastard," "oh God," and other mild exclamations. One joke intended to highlight outdated attitudes about race includes the word "darkies."

  • consumerism false1

    Consumerism: Christian Louboutin heels are featured in the opening sequence, and many Ford cars are featured in the movie.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false1

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Background drinking and smoking at a party set in the '60s scenes.

Fan Reviews provided by

5

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! by leecheymc
GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! Just saw the midnight showing with my brother and seriously if you enjoyed the first two, you'll enjoy this one as well. The story has the same blend of comedy, action and drama as seen in the first two films. It was good to see Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith on screen again. Josh Brolin does a fantastic job. This may sound cheesy but if your fortunate enough to have a three day weekend go see Men in Black 3. Don't wait until it's on redbox.

3

It ties the trilogy together. That's all. by HoodCritic1
I don't know if it was the length of time between the second or third movies or if audiences had the presence of Will Smith out of their systems but there was nothing special about this movie at all. The addition of Josh Brolin and Emma Thompson gave the film an influx of new blood but didn't yield any excitement or any reward to the film at all. Maybe the story wasn't utilized to its potential but this could have been better than expected. The only good thing to come from this movie is that it gives the series closure.

5

MEN IN BLACK 3 by thebuyallogist
MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH LOVED THE MOVIE. IT WAS FAST MOVING, FUNNY, AND EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING. IT 'S ONE I WILL BUY WHEN IT COMES OUT ON DVD.

4

MIB3 by judywen
i find the story line great, in present day movies all you see is everything is technology. in MIB3 there are technology but not like from scene one till the end only partial. the movie is hilarious, and the ending is very emotional, we enjoyed it very much!

4

Men in Black III by sbshowband
Although there were some very gross characters, the overall movie was excellent and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The actors were amazing and the story really engaged us.

2

MIB has seen better days! by durham77
The storyline was pretty good. There was good and dull moments throughout the movie. I have read on various websites that this movie cost more than 200 million dollars to make! When I read that I was expecting a lot of action and special effects. Boy was I let down. Avengers pulled a miracle of effects costing around 220 million. I'm sure a big part was Will Smith's salary. Did he earn it this time? No. The movie had a surprise ending that was good, but overall there was hardly any action. I know movies aren't good just because things blow up but with the right flavor it keeps the movie entertaining! For such a big budget where did all the money go? This sure wasn't a big summer blockbuster. Wait and rent it at Redbox!

3

I'm Torn by Be_Wil_Derd
Ok, so I went to Battleship and MIB3 today and while I enjoyed Battleship and thought it was pretty good...I was left wishing for more on MIB3. MIB3 had a lot of the things we've all come to expect from any MIB movie...aliens, blasting aliens, alien threats, and end of the world as we know it. However, the one thing it didn't have this time was a real energy from the actors to want to be in the movie. Either Tommy and Will were mad that they weren't making enough money or they phoned it in this time around. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the movie...but I just wasn't impressed enough to think Id ever go again or even own the DVD/Blue Ray unless it was given as a gift. I really like the MIB movies and hope they make another, but maybe like any series, they might be better off to replace the original cast with some new life to give it some energy again and the audience will get the impression they are part of the action as opposed to watching old actors making a paycheck.

5

The Best MIB of all by createdjoy33
I saw MIB 1 and 2. Loved #1, liked #2 very much but this one is superior.I wouldn't take young kids, but older ones ok. Acting & Story line well done! A Must See. Enjoy!

5

Great sequel!! by CherryKid
A wonderful sequel. Usually sequels are not worth watching. This one is as good if not better than the first two. Want to see it again. Worth the ticket!

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